SailNet Customer Service problems

[Don s/v Tellico]

another venture capital tale...

gone south.Buying from SN is ok with a credit care, but if you don't receive the mdse by the time the bill arrives, DONT PAY FOR THAT CHARGE. Notify your cc company by phone and writing that the charge and amount are in dispute ("never rec'd msde") and you won't have to pay if it's never received.Not paying the amount and notifying in writing of the dispute before that month's bill is due is ABSOLUTELY essential.

 

[seanshine]

The TRUTH

For those of you who think that Sailnet went sour after Sam and Cheryl left you're dead wrong. They were never able to get control of the company from the start. They spent millions (literally...almost 20) of dollars in private venture capital, cooked the books almost every month and left the company in the dumps when the main venture investors finally figured it out and gave them the boot. They both face embezzelment (sp?) charges as we speak. The new guy they brought into run it lacks interest and passion and the staff (or what's left of them after the yearly round of layoffs) think he's a giant ass. As far as contacting customer service, there isn't one. They were all laid off and now the one (maybe two) remaining salesmen are in charge of every interaction with customers from all over the world. It's just too much to handle. I'm pretty positive they are heading towards liquidation with the exception of Airforce Sails which is a very professionally run outfit with two VERY competent guys who wish they were NOT part of the Sailnet name. All in all, Sailnet's problems stem directly from the leadership deficiency which started with Sam and Cheryl...all the employees are good guys and gals with little or no incentive to wake up and drive to the office every morning.

 

[seanshine]

Out of Business

Heard they shut the doors on Fri. Laid everyone off and went bankrupt. Wonder what they're doing with leftover inventory????????Frank

 

[Mike A.]

I've still heard nothing

Well, they may well go out of business. The way things have been going recently, it would not suprise any of us apparently. Like I previously said, I had good experiences when dealing with them last year. My experiences this year have been mostly OK until I had an inaccurate order and was told a couple of times that things would be taken care of but weren't. Oh well, there are other fish in the sea. Good bye SailNet.Mike

 

[Fred Ficarra]

This morning their web site says they're down

Feel free to browse but you can't buy anything.

 

[Moe16696]

Sorry to hear that...

Ever since we bought our Mac 26X last fall, we've purchased quite a bit from Sailnet and had accurate and prompt service. Only on the last order, when I bought the wrong item, was I promised an RMA via that I never received (about 2 weeks ago). And the shipping charge on the replacement I ordered (and received) was a bit absurd. Oh well...

 

[RobG]

This looks like a good opportunity to plug

Defender. I'm lucky enough to live 45min from them and have shopped there for years. They are all a great bunch of helpfull, caring and knowledgable people. I still use the phone for questions on details of stuff I'm interested in that I see on the web and am always treated great even though they know I'm not buying at that time. The prices are great too!Hey Mike, not a bad drive from Branford to Waterford. You should go down. The "junk" isle has some good stuff really cheap.

 

[Don Guillette]

This looks like a good opportunity to plug

Mates: How about we take a few seconds to plug our sponsors SAILBOATOWNERS.COM, who, if it were not for them, we would not have the opportunity to share all this sailing infomation. These sites are few and far between (and getting smaller every day - see sailnet) and sailboatowners.com is not an extension of St. Vincent De Paul. In other words, they don't provide this site out of the goodness of their heart. They need revenue to continue. I don't see Defender, West Marine, BoatUS providing these forums. If you like this medium and want it to continue, please take the time to check out their ships store the next time you need a marine product. I guarantee you won't have customer service or delivery problems with them. They are on their vendors like a wet blanket - I know because I'm one of them. Most importantly, their prices are very competitive.

 

[SoupyT]

Hear, hear! I have to agree with Don

The service I've received from sailboatowners (Bly Berken in particular) is by far and away the best I’ve ever had from any on-line retailer. This is not their first e-commerce venture, and it shows in their professionalism and obsession with responsive customer care.Richard Whitehead (Soupy Twist II)

 

[Paul Zetlmaier]

Don't Let This Thread Die!

I called the "Customer Service" line today..."Mailbox full email jmilligan....Do Not leave any more messages"Made me feel all warm and fuzzy. These Alpha Hotels are still taking orders! Warn the new kids.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

My orders

I placed my 2 orders the 7th of July. They were not shipped yet (today is 7/20). Tried to contact them by e-mail but got no response. It’s the worst experience with a marine retailer I ever had. Those were my first and final orders. This is capitalism, not a freaking Soviet Union. There are many online retailers with the same or better prices.

 

[RobG]

Ya know, I have to agree with Don too!

Now that I look back at the post it does seem out of place. No offence ment to this great site. I bought my Boom Kicker and some other stuff this spring here this spring and was very satisfied. I'm just starting to kinda get comfortable with virtual shopping and as previously stated I still prefer the touchy, feely, read the box type of buying.My apoligies.

 

[Mark Time]

Word on the street

The rumors I hear from Charleston say they're about to file Chapter 7.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Just don't take Bly drinking - Great people

Hollow leg - come to think of it so does Phil.Hi Guys.JimS/V Java

 

[Fred Ficarra]

The folks here are the best! Especially Bly!

When a vendor messes up, they make it right!

 

[Tim22844]

Sailnet

Sailnet-Definitely Chapter 7! Anyone with stuff on order may want to pick up a big box of tissues to dry their eyes.

 

[Steve Dion]

Statement from the Boyle's

FYIhttp://www.sailjazz.com/statement.php

 

[Steve Dion]

UNDER WHO - The Truth?

I am very skeptical of anyone who does not identify themselves on this or any other site.Be sure to read the Boyle's message as well as "The Truth". You be the judge.

 

[Tom S]

The TRUTH is probably some where in the middle

It usually isDon't believe a quarter of what you hear and half of what you see But seriously I think there is "something" to the rumors of the past and dealings with the Boyles and Sailnet as far as a Merchandising & On-Line retail company.After reading their new website on SailJazz.com its good to hear they don't have any plans to be an on-line retail store and they plan on sticking with what they do best. Supporting the on-line sailing community.

 

[Keel-N-Time]

There is an article about SailNet...

...at The Charleston Post. The link below will take you to it but you will have to create a user login first (no big deal). It basically states that there is a "CLOSED" sign on the building and the parking lot has been empty for about 3 weeks. It says the company now has an unsatisfactory rating with the South Carolina BBB. They tried to contact both John Rublaitus, who was identified by the Boyles as the CEO, and IDG Ventures, the venture capital company that now owns controlling interest in SailNet but neither had returned the phone calls or e-mails. Sounds like this is the end for SailNet. They would have a hard time financially coming back from this but having generated the animosity they have with the sailing community it would be nearly impossible.Sad!Mike A.